Aloe x gasteria plant named &#39;wt01&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Aloe×Gasteria hybrid  cultivar named ‘WT01’ is disclosed, characterized by durable foliage, resistant to breakage and a faster growth habit than similar species. The new variety is a  Aloe×Gasteria hybrid,  typically produced as an ornamental plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Aloe×Gasteria hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘WT01’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as a seedling, resulting from the planned crossing of an unnamed Aloe hybrid (unpatented) as the seed parent and an, unnamed, unpatented Gasteria, nitida as the pollen parent ‘WT01’ was discovered by the inventor, Wander Durk Tuinier, a citizen of the Netherlands, in a group of seedlings resulting from the aforementioned crossing. The new variety was discovered September 2007, in a commercial greenhouse in Swellendam, South Africa.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘WT01’ was first performed in South Africa, in Swellendam at a commercial laboratory by tissue culture in January 2008. ‘WT01’ has since produced several generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘WT01’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘WT01.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘WT01’ as a new and distinct Aloe×Gasteria cultivar:

-   1. Strong, durable foliage, resistant to rot and breakage. -   2. Fast, vigorous growth rate.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘WT01’ are similar to plants of the unnamed seed parent variety in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘WT01’ produce foliage that is more resistant to rot and breakage. Additionally, the new cultivar produces a much less regular rosette type plant shape. The new cultivar has leaves that are close to an opposite rosetting arrangement, as compared to the whorled rosette of the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘WT01’ are similar to plant of the unknown Gasteria pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘WT01’ are much faster growing than the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of ‘WT01’ can be compared to the known commercial variety, Aloe aristata (unpatented). Differences are similar to those with the seed parent. ‘WT01’ produces stronger, more durable foliage than Aloe aristata. Additionally, the new cultivar exhibits a more opposite rosette leaf pattern than a tightly held whorled rosette as seen in Aloe aristata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘WT01’ indoors in the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 5 months old, shown in a 4 inch pot. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to the R.H.S. Colour Chart, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘WT01’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Kimpen aan de Ijssel, the Netherlands. Temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Aloe×Gasteria hybrid ‘WT01.’ -   Age of the plant described: Approximately 5 months. -   Propagation: -   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 20 to 25 days at 21° C. -   Root description: Fibrous -   Propagation method: Tissue culture. -   Plant: -   Growth habit: Compact succulent. -   Container size: 4 inch. -   Height: Approximately 4.5 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 3.9 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate to slow, approximately 0.5 cm per month. -   Branching characteristics: Non-branching, no stems or lateral     branches. To date, only a single basal rosette of leaves has been     observed. -   Foliage: -   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Rosulate, simple leaf.         -   Average quantity of leaves per rosette.—Approximately 10.         -   Average length.—Approximately 4.1 cm.         -   Widest width.—Approximately 2.2 cm.         -   Height/thickness.—Approximately 0.4 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Subulate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Broad cuneate.         -   Margin.—Finely serrate.         -   Texture of top surface.—Rough, dull, non-pubescent.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Rough, dull, non-pubescent.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green N137A,             mid-section lighter; near Green 143C, base near Yellow-Green             145D. Leaf covered with axillary rows of small dots, colored             near White N155C, dots very small, average width: 0.8 mm in             diameter. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green N137A,             mid-section lighter; near Green 143C, base near Yellow-Green             145D. Leaf covered with axillary rows of small dots, colored             near White N155C, dots very small, average width: 0.8 mm in             diameter. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green N137A,             lower half near Green-White; 157B Upper half of leaf covered             with axillary rows of small dots, colored white, near N155C,             dots very small, average width: 0.8 mm in diameter. Mature             foliage under side: Near RHS Green N137A, mid-section near             Yellow-Green 146D, base Green-White 157A. Leaf covered with             axillary rows of small dots, colored white near N155C, dots             very small, average width: 0.8 mm in diameter. -   Venation: Veination not visible. -   Petiole: No petiole. -   Other characteristics: Foliage highly resistant to tearing or     breaking due to mechanical stress. No stipules, tendrils, thorns, or     spines present. -   Flower: Bud production and flower production has not been observed     to date. -   Reproductive organs: Not observed due to lack of flower production. -   Other characteristics: -   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     diseases or pests has been observed in this variety. -   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Drought tolerant     succulent. Low temperature tolerance to at least USDA Zone 10.     Tolerates high temperature to at least 45° C. -   Fruit/seed production: Fruits and seeds have not been observed to     date. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aloe×Gasteria hybrid plant named ‘WT01’ as herein illustrated and described. 